currents
climates
ocean
rain
random
100
What will most likely happen if a warm ocean current travels north or south from the equator?
A.The current will become warmer, causing it to become more dense and rise.
B.The current will become cooler, causing it to become less dense and rise.
C.The current will become cooler, causing it to become more dense and sink.
D.The current will become warmer, causing it to become less dense and sink.
C.The current will become cooler, causing it to become more dense and sink.
100
In the centers of North America and Asia, large regions of land have relatively dry climates. This lack of rainfall results mainly from which factor?
A.The centers of these continents have too few lakes and rivers for effective evaporation.
B.The centers of these continents receive little heat from sunlight over most of the year.
C.The rate of air mass movement over the centers of these continents is relatively low.
D.The distance from oceans prevents moist air from reaching the centers of these continents.
D.The distance from oceans prevents moist air from reaching the centers of these continents.
100
Without oceans, the temperatures of Earth would vary widely from the temperatures that currently exist. Which characteristic of the ocean MOST likely helps to maintain the temperatures of Earth?
A.depth of the ocean
B.density of ocean water
C.evaporation of ocean water
D.high humidity near the ocean
C.evaporation of ocean water
100
Nevada’s annual precipitation averages between 21 and 24 cm. In comparison, Washington state averages between 96 and 97 cm of precipitation per year. Which of these factors has the greatest impact on the difference in precipitation between these two states?
A.the relative sizes of each state
B.the types of industry found in each state
C.the location of each state on the continent
D.the relative frequency of volcanic activity in each state
C.the location of each state on the continent
100
Which property of water vapor allows it to function as a greenhouse gas?
A.Water vapor expands when exposed to sunlight.
B.Water vapor absorbs and reemits heat radiated from Earth.
C.Water vapor changes ultraviolet radiation into carbon dioxide.
D.Water vapor transmits heat as solar radiation.
B.Water vapor absorbs and reemits heat radiated from Earth.
200
The diagram shows an image of the major ocean currents.
What phenomenon is MOST likely responsible for the currents’ circulation patterns?
A.Coriolis effect
B.density differences
C.the Sun’s tidal effect
D.temperature differences
A.Coriolis effect
200
On the edge of many deserts, there is a delicate area with abundant vegetation. Sometimes cattle are allowed to graze in these areas. The hooves of the cattle compact the topsoil making it less absorbent. Which environmental concern is MOST likely to happen at the edge of the desert when cattle graze there?
A.erosion
B.nutrient depletion
C.atmospheric heating
D.groundwater contamination
A.erosion
200
ecause water can hold a large amount of heat, which effect do oceans have on nearby land areas?
A.They prevent rapid extreme temperature changes.
B.They form high-pressure areas that cause magma currents.
C.They provide the energy that triggers volcanic events.
D.They lower the freezing point of fresh water.
A.They prevent rapid extreme temperature changes.
200
Which will cause an increase in runoff and infiltration in an area?
A.contouring farmland
B.a drought
C.digging wells
D.excessive rain
D.excessive rain
200
The data show changes in water levels below the surface of Earth.
According to the data, during which period did the greatest amount of aquifer recharge occur?
A.4/1/99–5/1/99
B.8/1/99–9/1/99
C.2/1/00–3/1/00
D.3/1/00–4/1/00
D.3/1/00–4/1/00
300
Look at the diagram to answer the question that follows.
If a northern coastline such as the Norway coast is located near a warm ocean current
A.the climate will be colder than normal for that latitude.
B.the climate will be warmer than normal for that latitude.
C.spring is longer than normal for that latitude.
D.spring is shorter than normal for that latitude.
B.the climate will be warmer than normal for that latitude.
300
Both southern California and southern Nevada are arid to semi-arid regions. Which of these has a large influence on the climate in southern California but has little influence on the climate in southern Nevada?
A.availability of fresh water
B.varieties of plant life
C.changes in elevation
D.proximity to the ocean
D.proximity to the ocean
300
Because water is able to exist in the liquid phase on Earth, water helps to moderate temperatures across the entire planet. Which statement BEST illustrates this link between water in the liquid phase and moderation of temperatures?
Standard(s)
P
NCES.EEn.2.3.1: Explain how water is an energy agent (currents and heat transfer).
Other questions on this standard: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 14 , 15
Answer
A.The movement of water creates heat.
B.Ocean currents circulate heat away from the equator.
C.Earth’s internal heat is pushed outward through volcanic activity.
D.Land warms as ocean water makes direct contact with land.
B.Ocean currents circulate heat away from the equator.
300
In the hydrologic cycle, which process contributes to a decrease in groundwater levels?
A.infiltration
B.evaporation
C.precipitation
D.condensation
B.evaporation
300
Which statement describes MOST groundwater?
A.Groundwater is found in underground lakes, rivers, and streams.
B.Groundwater is found in the spaces between rocks, gravel, and sand.
C.Groundwater is isolated from surface water and moves in its own cycle.
D.Groundwater is sequestered below the surface for years or decades at a time.
B.Groundwater is found in the spaces between rocks, gravel, and sand.
400
The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current in the North Atlantic that flows from the Gulf of Mexico, northeast along the U.S. coast, and from there to the British Isles. The Gulf Stream has a strong effect on the climate pattern in the British Isles.
Which climate pattern can be attributed to the Gulf Stream Current?
A.Summer in Great Britain is warmer and wetter than other places of similar latitude.
B.Summer in Great Britain is cooler and wetter than other places of similar latitude.
C.Winter in Great Britain is warmer and drier than other places of similar latitude.
D.Winter in Great Britain is colder and drier than other places of similar latitude.
A.Summer in Great Britain is warmer and wetter than other places of similar latitude.
400
The climate of an area would be expected to have the LEAST fluctuations in temperatures where the
A.atmospheric nitrogen is low.
B.vegetation is sparse.
C.days are longest.
D.humidity is high.
D.humidity is high.
400
Hurricanes are driven by the energy they get from ocean water. Which property of water allows it to retain the energy needed to power a hurricane?
A.low vapor pressure
B.high specific heat
C.high surface tension
D.low freezing point
B.high specific heat
400
Which is one way surface water may become groundwater?
A.condensation
B.evaporation
C.infiltration
D.runoff
C.infiltration
400
Virginia’s Valley and Ridge province have many limestone and dolomite rock layers. How could the composition of these layers affect the groundwater stored in the aquifer in this province?
A.Over time, acidic water could dissolve the rock, creating larger spaces and increasing the volume of groundwater storage.
B.Over time, acidic water could dissolve the rock, collapsing spaces and decreasing the volume of groundwater storage.
C.Over time, acidic water could leach toxins from the rock, contaminating the water and making it unusable.
D.Over time, acidic water could leach ions from the rock, decreasing the pH of the water and making it more drinkable
A.Over time, acidic water could dissolve the rock, creating larger spaces and increasing the volume of groundwater storage.
500
surface currents and deep currents form:
convection currents
500
ome scientists predict that as greenhouse gases change the climate of Earth, the number and strength of hurricanes will increase. In order for this to occur, the climate change would have to affect Earth by changing the
A.depths of the oceans.
B.surface temperatures in the oceans.
C.chemical compositions of the oceans.
D.amount of dissolved oxygen in the oceans.
B.surface temperatures in the oceans.
500
Wave energy from the ocean can be harnessed to power generators to make electricity. Energy from ocean tides can also be used to make electricity. How would you categorize these two sources of energy?
A.Both are renewable.
B.Both are nonrenewable.
C.Wave energy is nonrenewable. Tidal energy is renewable.
D.Wave energy is renewable. Tidal energy is nonrenewable.
A.Both are renewable.
500
How will the presence of power plants burning fossil fuels MOST likely affect the water cycle?
A.Sulfur and nitrogen emissions will dissolve in rainwater to form acid rain.
B.Runoff containing emissions will cause very large algal blooms in ponds.
C.Emissions will cause the pH of surface waters to increase.
D.Emissions will decrease the amount of precipitation.
A.Sulfur and nitrogen emissions will dissolve in rainwater to form acid rain.
500
Kelly wants to build a small koi fish pond in her backyard. What natural material should she line her pond with to make sure that no water leaks out of the pond through gravitational water flow?
A.sand
B.gravel
C.loam
D.clay
D.clay